Combined Test Result

[Bluebell20]

Hi guys, just wanted some advice if possible? I am 13 weeks and 4 days pregnant. I had the combined test for Down's Syndrome last Monday (at 12 weeks 6 days) and I received the results today - classified as low risk, at 1:1163.

In my area, high risk is classified as 1:150 so this is significantly lower. I have calculated the risk as a percentage and it's just about 0.086%, which I do recognise is low - obviously that means that I have a 99.914% chance of having a healthy baby.

I understand that other people get some really high risk results, and that that must be terribly distressing, and that they would probably give their eye teeth to get a result like mine. I do understand that.

However, it doesn't take away from the fact that I am still really quite worried. I was expecting my risk to be much, much lower, as I am 31, so not particularly old, and very healthy myself (I believe weight can affect your risk?). I am surprised by how upset I am. I immediately started thinking about getting the Harmony test, which is supposed to be more than 99% accurate at detecting Down's Syndrome fetuses... But would that be a ridiculous thing to do when my result is low anyway?

The results wouldn't come back for two weeks, and because of the Christmas bank holidays etc I won't be able to get a scan until at least 14 weeks, which would probably mean that I would be well over 16 weeks by the time I got the results. It seems like awfully late in the pregnancy to be finding out. I just don't know.

What would you guys do?

Recognise I had a bad case of pregnancy nerves and try to relax? That is a lovely low risk, no one can promise but I think all will be well. I had a 1:110 risk at your age by the way and didn't have any further testing, he has no genetic problems that you could test for at that point although he is on the autistic spectrum and no worse off for it IMHO.

My thinking for no further testing btw was that there was an equal chance I could cause a miscarriage of a healthy child to diagnosing an issue that at the end of the day I wouldn't terminate a pregnancy for anyway.

If it would put your mind at ease and you can afford it then get the harmony test. I considered it, my result was 1:3400 but we decided against it, can't remember why now.

I'm now 37 weeks and I can't say the thought that my baby may have a disability hasn't crossed my mind, however something such as downs is less likely than some other disabilities. Even though my other scans have come back fine they don't pick up everything and you just never know.

I got 1:4500 and I'm 27. I worried too but I actually had to really think then to remember what mine was. Im 25 weeks now. Somebody told me to think about a bag full of 4500 balls, and one of them is a different colour. If you put your hand in the bag how likely is it you'll pull out the different coloured ball? That really calmed my nerves. All the ratio means is that in 1163 women who have the same results as you, 1 will have a baby with Downs syndrome.

Please try and relax xx

My combined result came back 1:5, would have loved odds like yours! Fortunately we had our cvs results that came back clear, now we're just waiting on a heart scan... Any idea what your nuchal fold measurement was? Ours was 3.7mm, I'm 35 years old but I think my bloods were poor. I'm sure your little one is a healthy little wriggler xx

I didn't get the blood test with my last pregnancy. I was 35 and had a healthy baby. I won't be getting it with this one either and I'm 36. Your risk is so tiny you are definitely worrying for nothing!

Thanks so much for your responses guys, and I'm so glad you had good cvs results, amysmummy. :) Love the idea of the bag of balls, Champagne - that is a good analogy.

The nuchal fold was 1.9mm at 12+6.

I am feeling quite a bit better now, thank you. I guess the only way I would know for sure if the baby had Down's or not is to have an amnio / cvs, which obviously I wouldn't have done unless I was high risk, and having had a low risk combined test I guess it is pretty likely that I would also get a negative from the Harmony - which, again, wouldn't tell me for absolutely sure.

So maybe I just need to relax and try not to think about it...

Honestly bluebell I lost sleep over my result but after a few weeks I realised how irrational I was being. I am a worrier by nature though. Xx

It's so hard when you are pregnant though! I remember wrapping myself in circles worrying about all the different things when I was having mine. IIRC that's a great nuchal fold measurement too. Do you feel well now? All the 'glowing' middle trimester stuff had me full of rage, never got to feel beautiful and full of life, just sick and tired! You are having a baby and it's an amazing thing! Just think, right now you have a perfectly formed miniature human in your tummy who could be pogoing up and down or having a snooze, try and enjoy it and not worry so much, easy to say but hard to do I know. I would give anything to do the bit where you feel them move in your tummy again, also giving birth and the first moment holding your new child, nothing in the world comes close. Good luck!

Do you normally struggle with anxiety?

That is a very good result. Mine have varied from that to 1/90.

I think sometimes if you are a worrier you grab onto the worry you can rationalise and use numbers on, when of course so many things we can't test or know. Sometimes for years.

Based purely on your age your risk would be around 1 in 800 I think (figures are on the NHS website) so your score is actually much better than average!

I know what it's like though, I've worried throughout this pregnancy. Try and relax, easier said than done I know

Thank you so much, ladies. Yes, YouStill, you've got me nailed - I have struggled terribly with anxiety over the years and have had cognitive behavioural therapy and everything to try and sort it out! I've been all right for the last year or so, but my midwife did warn me that pregnancy might throw up old demons on that score.

I stopped feeling sick two weeks ago, MrSlant, but I seem to have replaced that with feeling terribly tearful about everything! Your words are lovely and I really appreciate them.

This morning, having slept on it, I think I will probably do the Harmony just so that I don't worry about it for the next six months, because I only plan on being pregnant once (we want to adopt as well) and I do want to enjoy the rest of the pregnancy. I'll see what DH thinks when he wakes up.

bluebell for what it's worth, if you feel that way then the harmony test won't do you any harm (except to your pocket!). I am 37 and having my first baby, a friend told me about the harmony test and recommended where to have it in London, and I was already planning to pay for an early scan (£100) at 8 weeks as I couldn't bear to air until 12 weeks. When I saw that it was £400 for the 10 wk scan, harmony test and follow up 12 wk scan with the test results it seemed like a good idea - definitely put my mind at rest. Though interestingly I also had the NHS combined test and the results were the same, something similar to yours if I remember right. Just remember that you do have a very low risk figure, but if the test will put your mind at rest and doesn't bankrupt you then it sounds like a good idea!
Meanwhile, I would highly recommend you read the book "a mindful pregnancy" by Andy puddicombe. I'm halfway through it (and 21wks) and it's helping me no end!

Thanks, cant. I think you are right - just wish I'd had the Harmony earlier on as I've tried ringing round this morning, and as suspected, all the private clinics are closed over Christmas!

And thank you very much for the book recommendation. I shall definitely get hold of that.

I don't know where you are, but I highly recommend fetal medicine centre on Harley street. They put money back into research and tend to be cheaper than others too. Good luck

The odds are just that, odds.
The factors entered into the algorithm are; age, height, weight, smoker?, exact gestational age as calculated by 12w scan, NT at 12w scan, and 3 measurements from blood parameters.

The harmony test (or nifty) looks for free foetal Dna in your blood, and still provides odds rather than a definite, but is far more accurate.

My local authority no longer discuss the odds beyond saying 'low risk' for exactly this reason. Can you talk to your mw about how you are feeling?

I'm also 31 and had odds of 1:185 and was so worried especially as it was so close to the 1:150 nhs cutoff where they would do further investigations. I was also told odds should have been about 1:800 for my age so would have been thrilled with your results. I did get the harmony test done, had the test on a thursday and had the results the following Friday, my blood sample went to London though rather than the usa (which is where they previously were sent for processing). I personally do not regret the harmony test and have justified it with no drinking/going out at New Years etc that both dh and I would have done. If you are anxious go for it I don't think you will regret it, I got the lowest risk result back from mine and my anxiety levels have got so much better. I had mine done at similar stage to you.

Thanks so much, guys. I can't tell you how much it has helped me to hear from you all. Cuppa, you're right - if I'd been told 'low risk' with no figures, I would have felt absolutely fine.

Southy, thank you so, so much for telling me about your experience. I have booked in for a Harmony test tomorrow morning (the doctor was great - I left a message over the bank holiday weekend and she rang me back on the bank holiday evening!) and my blood sample will be going to London, too, so I should know the results within five working days.

I feel better for just having booked the test, so I know now that this is the right thing to do for me. I'll come back to let you all know how it goes.

That's ok bluebell :) that's great you managed to get booked in today, you sound happier already so I think it was definitely the right decision for you. The results will be back before you know it, hope all goes well x

Good luck lovely, keep us updated xxx

Thanks guys :) I had the test done today, results should be back by the 11th. I will come back and post when I get them. xx

Hello everyone, just to say that my Harmony results came back last night, and the risk was less than 1 in 10,000. And we are having a little boy! I am so, so, so relieved, and I am immensely thankful that the Harmony was available, because it has saved me months of worry. Thank you all very much for your support and advice :)

That's fantastic news bluebell so pleased for you and congratulations on your little boy :) x

Brilliant news bluebell! Xx

Fantastic! Congratulations

Thanks very much guys :) x